1986

In the wake of the CBS sale, the new Fender management established a new factory at Corona, California, and set about bringing the Strat back to basics with the launch of the new American Standard series.

The new Standard Stratocaster took the best of the original design and added in a 22 fret neck, a flatter fingerboard, tweaked vibrato and flat stainless steel saddles. The new Strat was available in Arctic White, Black, Brown Sunburst, Gun Metal Blue, Pewter and Torino Red, and signalled a sea change in the Strat's fortunes.